Wisdom = supernatural application

Word of Wisdom is the ability to speak the thoughts and guidance of God into a situation, most often in a practical way. This is different than preaching or teaching in the sense that the speaker isn’t extracting nuggets of truth out of the Biblical text so much as they are speaking truth into a specific situation.

Often, words spoken in this way seem counter-cultural on the surface level while, at the same time, resonating deep with your spirit. For instance, someone may offer you advice to “sow” your way out of a financial hole rather than “saving” and “working more” to move your way through it. Though that sounds counter-intuitive, in your situation it may be exactly what you need to hear.

Wisdom, though hidden to most people in the beginning, most often “makes sense” once it shared with others. It’s as if the Holy Spirit confirms the idea once it’s spoken. 

Note: this is among three often-confused speaking gifts listed throughout the New Testament: 

• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Prophecy

(Teaching, another gift, seems more straightforward.)

The chart above compares the three which are most often confused. As well, you can follow the links below to learn more about each.

Remember, the spiritual gift of prophecy differs from the created design of prophecy, in that the created design comes from your “first birth” and the supernatural gifts comes with your “second / spiritual birth.” Many times, a person may have a created design of prophecy matched with a spiritual gift of wisdom.